7 reasons you should
sign up for the
Big Wigan Walk Week

**If you’ve ever thought ‘I should walk more’ but have never quite got around to it, the Big Wigan Walk Week might be just the nudge you need.**

Taking place from Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May 2026, our annual celebration of walking is all about moving more, feeling better, and rediscovering what makes Wigan Borough such a brilliant place to get outside.

It’s fair to say we’ve made big strides (literally!) since our first event four years ago, with nearly 600 people taking part in last year’s festival.

Once again, there are around 50 FREE guided walks to choose from over the course of nine days, and there really is a little something for everyone… whether you’re an experienced walker looking for something different, or a beginner.

So, if you’ve never joined us before, here’s seven reasons to step up and get involved…

Walking is good for you!

Most of us know walking is good for our physical health, but it’s worth knowing how.

Fitness is a big part of it, of course. Regular walking helps maintain a healthy weight by burning calories, improves our cardiovascular fitness, and boosts our energy levels. Those are the sort of things we might start to notice straight away.

But walking has other effects like strengthening our muscles and bones, and reducing the long-term risk or impact of conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Several studies have also shown that walking at a brisk pace can increase the white blood cells in your blood, which is good news for your immune system.

Whatever your current level of fitness, the Big Wigan Walk Week has events for you – from Nordic Walking, where you use poles to work your arms as well as your legs, to relaxed short walks and ‘walk and talks’.

Most walks are around 30-60 minutes, while there are longer, more challenging ones for those with enough stamina.

…and not just physically

Walking isn’t just good for your body but your mind too. It can help reduce stress, anxiety and tension and improve your mood.

Part of that comes from getting out into the world around us, exploring the local greenery and connecting with nature (hopefully with some added vitamin D from a little sunshine – though there are no guarantees there!).

On the Big Wigan Walk Week you can do just that; whether it’s following the scenic canal towpath up to Appley Bridge, watching for wildlife at Pennington Flash or Three Sisters nature reserves, strolling around your local park, or welcoming the dawn of a new day on our early morning Sunrise Walk.

Walking can help you sleep better (so you can rest easy knowing you’ve got your steps in that day) while it’s also been shown to sharpen focus, cognition and memory (so you don’t forget to book another Be Well walk soon!).

A couple standing in front of a flowering field

Discover new walking spots

Maybe you don’t go for walks much because you’re not sure where to go, or maybe you’re a regular walker bored of doing the same old loops?

Either way, the Big Wigan Walk Week is a brilliant way to discover some great walking routes you might not be aware of, and even see some sights you wouldn’t expect.

Like, did you know you could find buzzards and deer in Standish? Well, we did last time on our aptly named Standish Bee Network ‘Walk Safari’.

Our walk leaders know all the best spots. (They also know a fair few good pubs too, if you’re that way inclined.)

Learn local history

Even if you know a place pretty well, you might not know it’s history.

Whether it’s industrial heritage, or its sporting and cultural impact on the world, Wigan Borough certainly has a fair few stories to tell.

On the Big Wigan Walk Week you can pick up all sorts of fascinating titbits, walking in the company of local experts and historians.

For example, did you know that at 127¼ miles (205km), the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is the longest continuous canal in the whole country? (Ok, smarty pants, we’re saving the really good stuff for our ‘Top Lock to Town’ walk!)

What about how Borsdane Wood came to be, or the real story of the infamous Lady Mabel whose tale has captured the imagination of generations with reports of ghostly sightings at Haigh Hall?

Whether it’s industry, nature or supernature, there’s plenty to learn.

Oh, the people you’ll meet!

Lots of people like walking on their own, free from distraction. If that’s you, that’s great, but… the Big Wigan Walk Week might not be for you.

For us, it’s being able to enjoy with others that makes walking such a fun form of exercise.

Our group walks are friendly, welcoming little communities where you can meet people, have a bit of a natter and generally put the world to rights.

Not that we’re a boisterous lot, by any means. We just like to connect while we keep active and enjoy some fresh air. You don’t need to be chatty or particularly outgoing – just turning up is enough.

There’s also something lovely about sharing an experience with others who are all there for the same reason: to feel better and enjoy being outside.

If the social side’s more your thing than racking up your step count, maybe try one of our ‘walk and talk’ sessions. Or, if you’ve something on your mind, why not come on a ‘wellbeing walk’ with our Be Well community link workers, who might be able to point you in the right direction of some support.

There’s also an evening walk just for women in Standish where like-minded ladies can spend some time in good company and encourage each other to be active.

Rise to the challenge (and maybe win a prize!)

As if those first five reasons weren’t enough, a new addition for 2026 is our Big Wigan Walk Week challenge card!

It’s a bit like a coffee shop loyalty scheme… we’ll give you a card at your first walk, and you fill it in as you go.

Complete five walks and hand it in at your local Be Well leisure centre and you’ll be entered into a prize draw* to win a reward!

(*terms and conditions apply)

A walker with a Big Wigan Walk Week badge

It’s completely free!!!

All our Be Well walks are completely 100% free to join.

All you need to do is book your place using the Be Well Wigan app or our online booking portal.

Please do book in advance, as numbers are capped for safety and logistics.

As a little added bonus, everyone who takes part will get an official Big Wigan Walk Week badge — a small but meaningful reminder that you showed up for your wellbeing.

So, what are you waiting for? Take that first step and sign up for this year’s Big Wigan Walk Week now!

Head to our online booking portal and select ‘community venues’ and ‘walking’ to browse our full schedule.

Book for the Big Wigan Walk Week